Nick Vigil: A Journey From Care Provider To Survivor

My introduction to the TBI world began in 1976 I was coincidently at Fort Braggs Womack Hospital located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, attending the Army’s Clinical Specialist Program. This was the Army’s year long Nursing Course that was equivalent to the Civilian LPN Course. As a paratrooper Medical Corpsman at Fort Bragg I strived for higher medical knowledge and skills. I was in my in my clinical rotation on the ward when a young teen came in with a severe head injury. I can recall how concerned and sorrow I felt for these parents. Little did I know I too would be facing the same journey starting in Fayetteville some 26 years later. Many years would pass and opportunities for advancement and training. I eventually became a Physician Assistant, retired from the Army and had joined the Civilian Work Force. Due to 9/11 and Global War Against Terrorism I found myself providing care to our returning soldiers for Mild TBI (mTBI). Maintaining my credentials I was in Fayetteville attending the Annual Society of Army PA (SAPA) Educational Conference. My first day was ended by an ambulance ride to Cape Fear Valley Hospital and than onto University Hospital N. Carolina. I was struck by an auto and I, as a pedestrian, incurred a life threatening head Injury. I was in a Glasgow 3 Coma and sustained a cerebral bleed and TBI of Frontal lobe, Temporal lobe and Cerebellum. More than just a concussion. Prior to my injury everyone I evaluated acted as they had nothing more than a concussion and the Specialist and Command Treated them the same. With expectation of a quick recovery a lot of effort was placed on returning to normal recovery. For me and them it hasn’t been a simple journey. The care providers are fixated in what everyone else haves and will improve if its in the cards or not. Cognitive therapy was the greatest help but TRICARE refused to acknowledge this and now the military is realizing the overlap of PTSD. The biggest burden is the family members trying to keep everything together and coping with the new person. Awareness is a strong adjunct to rehab. Therefore the reason I share my story. I am encouraged toward recovery from hearing and reading others trial tribulations and conquering. The biggest lesson learn is no such thing as a simple concussion and no two TBI ARE THE SAME. Hope and positive attitude helps. Initially thought to be a quad I AM NOW without wheel chair, walk unassisted, speak clearly and able to understand the spoken word. Now if I could share this with others.